Hidden Hydrogen Hotspots: Leveraging the Grid Infrastructure for Optimal Electrolyser Siting in Germany (lecture language: English)

This presentation demonstrates how systematic grid infrastructure analysis identifies strategic electrolyser locations by leveraging existing and planned H2 und power network infrastructure. Using Germany's hydrogen core network, gas transmission and distribution networks as analytical foundations, we showcase GIS-based methodologies for uncovering optimal production opportunities.

Three critical questions drive our research approach:
How can off-grid industrial demand clusters be efficiently supplied with hydrogen?
Where are the optimal locations for hydrogen production and injection into the hydrogen grid?
Which upcoming grid developments create new hydrogen production opportunities?

Our comprehensive spatial analysis framework reveals two critical opportunity categories. The first focuses on H2 production and injection locations where strong wind energy development coincides with limited electrical grid capacity but proximity to H2 core network infrastructure. These sites represent optimal conditions where renewable electricity can be converted to hydrogen at locations with excellent injection access, utilizing available power capacity from major substations and planned renewable installations.

The second focus addresses off-grid industrial demand clusters - multiple industrial facilities without core network access that create exceptional opportunities for local hydrogen production networks. Our methodology incorporates comprehensive power and water availability assessment while applying a grid infrastructure lens to uncover strategically positioned sites.

Essential to our approach is the integration of planned network development intelligence through NefinoLI News, providing early-stage project visibility that enhances strategic site selection. This GIS-based analysis enables identification of specific land parcels suitable for electrolyser construction, considering both grid connectivity potential and off-grid supply scenarios.

The presentation includes practical examples demonstrating how off-grid industrial clusters can be efficiently served through strategically positioned production facilities, and how planned infrastructure developments reveal new electrolyser opportunities. Our systematic framework - from regional grid analysis to specific site identification - creates a replicable methodology for successful hydrogen project development. This grid-focused spatial analysis reveals numerous economically viable production opportunities across Germany's evolving energy infrastructure landscape.